Prof. C. E. Bessey

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Prof. C. E. Bessey

It has been announced that this accomplished botanist has undertaken the Botanical department of the American Naturalist, which is an excellent thing so far as it goes. If further he could influence the " editorial" pen, it might aid the editorial influence.

The reader of the editorial column will probably begin to think that there is little else than the " Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia" in the whole United States to occupy scientific attention. The last number has several illustrations how little things are distorted in these " Editorial" articles. For instance, the one under consideration tells the reader that there is in the Academy a "silly opposition to the scheme of Professorships." Every one who chooses may know that the "scheme" was adopted and is part of the constitution and by-laws. It was Professor Cope's scheme to hand over the whole management of the Institution to a corps of Professors, that was properly objected to, nothing else. Then there are several pages devoted to the proper course of study for two boys who get there about five dollars per week!

It may, however, serve to explain to the readers of the Naturalist outside of Philadelphia, why so much space is given by the editor to this purely local question, to say that these editorials of Prof. Cope are usually reprinted from the Naturalist, and circulated among the members about election time as " campaign documents." Here in Philadelphia it is well known.